The Baptist church of Prairie City was organized November 9, 1856, by Elder E. J. Lockwood, with the following 14 members: Alonzo Barnes, Martha L. Barnes, William Davis, Susan Davis, Kate Smith, J. B. Robinson and wife, Ann Legg, M. Heminover, Martha Macomb, T. C. Luther, Porter J. Jack, Ruth H. Bell and Rebecca Barnes. Meetings were held in the school house until 1850, when a good frame church edifice was erected, at a cost of $2,000. It is 32x48 feet, with a spire containing a fair-sized bell. It is situated on Smith street, near Main. The first deacons chosen were M. Heminover and Alonzo Barnes. Mr. Barnes was also chosen clerk. The following have served this church as pastors: S. A. Kingsbury, H. S. P. Warren, C. Hutchins, E. J. Lockwood, Danforth C. A. Hewett, A. J. Colville and S. H. D. Vaughn.

History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, Continental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois
Transcribed by Robin Petersen for McDonough County ILGenWeb

Copyright 1999, 2000 Robin L. W. Petersen; all rights reserved. For personal use only. Commercial use of the information contained in these pages is strictly prohibited without prior permission. If copied, this copyright must appear with the information.

 
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